What Does Church Train People To Be?

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Two ways a church service can train people:

1) Church could train people to be passionate, prophetic, Spirit-prompted participators.

2) Instead church tends to train people to be silent, sedentary, subservient spectators.

What is the church you attend training you to be?  #1 or #2?

The early Methodists trained people to be #1:

“In the early Methodist class meetings, members shared their experiences. They prayed together. They affirmed and if need be, corrected each other. They learned to watch over one another in love.” –David Lowes Watson

Spirit-led, participatory church trains people to be #1:

“No matter how peculiar or outrageous” participatory church seems, it sets captives free!

“There are those in the ranks of the (Salvation) Army as conservative as the most ‘churchy’ people in the world; there are those who are always ‘desirous of new things;’ there are those who would like every meeting to be a Holiness meeting, and those who like better a ‘free-and-easy;’ there are those who like singing, and those who would rather hear sermons; but whatever they like or dislike, they are united on this point, that no matter how peculiar or how outrageous a measure seems, if it leads up to soul-saving, it shall be done.” – Maud Booth, Beneath Two Flags, 1889

Here’s how the early Salvation Army trained people:

“The Salvation Army comes before the world today with no new doctrines, but the same Christ and Him crucified that Paul preached; with the same protest against formalism and insincerity that moved Luther; with the same plan of carrying the Gospel to those who will not come to it that Wesley followed; with the same holiness that made Finney a guiding star to thousands of souls. The old problem, so-called, of how to reach the masses has been solved by them, not by argument or discussion, but by going and doing it.” – Maud Booth, Beneath Two Flags, 1889

At The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, Tennessee, our goal is to train people to be passionate, prophetic, Spirit-prompted participators.  Rather than a 1-man sermon, our meetings are based on ordinary people, as prompted by the Spirit, showing and telling what God has done.

Come see for yourself on Sunday mornings @ 10:45, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207.

Posted in Apostle Paul, Beneath Two Flags, books, Charles Finney, evangelism, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Maud Booth, Nashville, organic chruch | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Beaching It (In My Mind)

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

Inspired by Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book, Gift From The Sea, I try my hand at writing about the sea:

The ocean is such a reminder of the grandeur of God. Its wonder stirs our spirit and allows us to breathe in the awe of God. Somehow, I think that we aren’t suppose to leave the ocean, but carry it with us — its majestic sights and sounds throbbing in our hearts and continually reminding us of God’s love and God’s presence and God’s power — continually challenging us to quit exhausting ourselves by trying to manage the tides of life and, instead, to simply submit in radical obedience to the living flow of the Holy Spirit.

gift from the sea

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.”  –Anne Morrow Lindbergh in her book, Gift From The Sea

Posted in beaching it, books, ocean thoughts, patience, Quotes, resting on the beach, thoughts from the beach | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spirit-Synchronized Swimming

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

Spirit-synchronized sharing is when a group of believers meets together to listen to the Holy Spirit and then say and do what the Spirit tells them.  As they begin to speak, one after another, as prompted by the Spirit, everything fits together along a theme in beautiful harmony.  They are not synchronized by programming, preparation, or practice; but rather, what they say and do is synchronized by their direct obedience to the actual voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in their heart.

Spirit-synchronized sharing is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen God do — God actually runs the meeting! It is an incredible thing to see. When a church leader turns the meeting over to God and then sits down out of the limelight, a holy hush fills the place. People wonder, “What’s going to happen now?” Sometimes there are a few awkward moments. However, eventually someone shares some heart-felt words that she/he felt nudged to say by the Spirit. Then another and another and on and on. And it all fits together into a common theme. This can only be explained by the presence of the living God, prompting and directing people.

Have you ever seen God work like that? It happens every Sunday morning @ 10:45 @ The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville 37207. Come and see for yourself. You will be amazed at what you see God do!

“A living example says more than words.” –Thaddeus of Vitovnica (a 20th Century Serbian monk)

Another name for Spirit-synchronized sharing is participatory church.  It sets before us many living examples of everyday people courageously obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

synchronized church

Spirit-synchronized sharing has the beauty and harmony of synchronized swimming, but without the external effort.  Synchronized swimming is choreographed by a human being.  Spirit-synchronized sharing is choreographed by God.

synchronized swimming

Posted in church, church leadership, led by the Spirit, Nashville, Salvation Army, Spirit-led, spirituality, worship services | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Inner Empire Strikes Back

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

When dark raiders and demonic invaders oppress the human mind, the inner empire of God strikes back with love, joy, and peace to defend the great wealth of spiritual and mental health. Which side are you fighting on?

“We must banish from our heart every other dominion but God.”  –Louis Lallelmant

Let us examine ourselves carefully, and observe on what object our thoughts are most fixed, what most disturbs our inner peace.  and when we have discovered what it is, let us immediately root it out.  –Louis Lallelmant

“Christians have forgotten Whom we serve and Whose Empire we are to be concerned with; we are here, in the greatness of God, to shine forth His goodness and mercy, to prove the greatness of His Love in His empirical Kingdom!”  –Charles Haddon Shank

3 who fought for the Empire of God:

“Our happiness consists in the subjection of the heart to the empire of God.”  –Louis Lallelmant, a 16th century French monk.

“As soon as we conceive a thought that is not founded on love, we have accepted the evil suggestions of the demons.”  –Thaddeus of Victovnica, a 20th Century Serbian monk.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  –Paul of Tarsus, a 1st century Christ-follower who wrote 1/3 of the New Testament.

Posted in French mystics, Louis Lallelmant, Paul of Tarsus, Serbian monks, Thaddeus of Victovnica | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Why we might not want revival and spiritual awakening . . .

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

send the fire

Why we might not want a spiritual awakening (a revival, a move of God)? Because in a time of revival:

1) Ordinary believers get excited about the living God and begin to obey the Spirit in church meetings, rather than quietly following the format, the pastor, or the “order of worship.”

2) God, Himself, often interrupts our programs, plans, agendas, and leadership.

3) Believers and unbelievers of all types are deeply troubled by and convicted of their sins and openly confess them, boldly calling their sins by their proper names.

Posted in conviction of sin, great awakening, objections to revival, overturning church order, Revive us again?, Send the fire, William Booth | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Church Leadership — Easy as ABC!

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

Church Leadership . . .  abc

A) What’s the purpose of church leaders (for example, a pastor?)
Ephesians 4:12 says that it is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (NEB) (“Saints” are ordinary Christ-followers (not super-duper ones).

B) What’s the most effective way to equip everyday Christ-followers to minister to one another and to nonbelievers? Hands-on practice–let them learn by doing.

C) What’s the best way to give ordinary Christ-followers hands-on practice in ministering to one another? Give them the time and the freedom during the Sunday worship service (and other church meetings) to hear and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit by sharing testimonies, prayers, gifts of the Spirit, exhortations, words of encouragement, short teachings, Scriptures, insights, etc.

For more information, here’s a challenge to pastors:  Pastor Challenge for 2015.

Come see the ABCs of Church Leadership in “Action Because of Christ’s promptings” . . . at:

The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville 37207 on Sunday mornings @ 10:45.

Posted in church, Ephesians 4:12, Nashville, one anothering, perfecting the saints, Salvation Army, simple church, work of the ministry | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Alive! 55+ and Kickin’ (The Power of Personal Testimony)

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

I just saw a section of CBS’s 60 Minutes that vividly shows the power of personal testimony.  It had me weeping as ordinary men and women shared life’s battle scars, humbly from their heart, and then sang victoriously about them.    Lesley Stahl describes it this way:

“A show opened in New York recently that didn’t get a whole lot of attention, but it features some of the most powerful singing voices you’ve never heard. You haven’t heard them because for most of the performers, this is their first time on the stage. They’ve been singing their whole lives — in church, in amateur groups, in the shower — but like so many who had dreams of making it big, life somehow got in the way . . . It’s a message that feels a lot like redemption. And that’s what comes through in the music, and the real life stories.”

alive and kickin

The name of the show is Alive! 55+ and Kickin’ and it is directed by Vy Higginsen.     The show clearly demonstrates what I have been blogging about for years.  When everyday people show and tell what God has done, something amazing happens!  Hearts are deeply moved.  People are challenged and encouraged.  Love is released.  Lives are changed.

So why are heart-felt salvation testimonies so rare nowadays?  Even in church?  Why is such a powerful media seldom used?

About a week ago I challenged pastors to schedule a different person each week in 2015 to give a 10 minute salvation testimony during Sunday morning church.  This would transform any congregation from a passive group of spectators to a passionate group of believers like the cast of Alive! 55+ and Kickin’.  Click here to see the challenge.

Read my challenge.  Watch the 60 Minutes section http://www.cbsnews.com/news/alive-and-kickin/.   And share them both with your pastor.  If he/she will act on the challenge, the spiritual energy you feel in Alive 55= and Kickin’ will be released in your church!

Posted in alive and kicking, Lesley Stahl, Mama Foundation, testimonies, Vy Higginsen | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A Validation Of Open Participation In Church Meetings

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Validation Of Open Participation In Church Meetings:

validation
Here’s an observation: Without an oration, the decentralization of church into Spirit-led participation, releases a saturation of fascination with the living, resurrected Jesus Christ that produces an amazing manifestation of revelation, cooperation, dedication, & personal transformation through out the congregation! O for a proliferation of open participation in church!

All Christians agree that Christ lives in His followers (as the old hymn says; “Since Jesus came into my heart,”). Open participation in church, in a loving, safe environment, allows everyday people to let the living Christ flow out of them in Spirit-led ministry to one another.

Posted in congregational participation, organic church, participation, revelation, Spirit-led, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

If God was a dog . . .

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

If God was a dog in church . . .
–Traditional church would put the dog in a cage, cover the cage with a blanket, and then have someone give a talk about the dog.
–Participatory church would let the dog run free, from person to person, controlling the meeting. It would let people in the meeting, personally interact with the dog; and allow them to openly share what the dog means to them.

dog in church

God is actually present with us when we meet in His name, however, far too often we neglect to make Him welcome.  We ignore Him, put Him in the the back of the room, and listen to a talk about Him.  Meanwhile God longs for us to personally interact with Him in the meeting and to give Him our full affection and attention.

Posted in dog in church, dog spelled backwards, God spelled backwards, If God was a dog, nontraditional church | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Think, Question, & Boldly Post (Outside The Box) Like Luther Did!

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Steve Simms
Luther
In 1517 Martin Luther boldly posted words on a church door in Germany and started a world-wide spiritual revolution. Perhaps we can do the same by boldly posting on blogs, web sites, & social media.  (Check out my 95 Theses here.)
Questioning the Sunday morning norm . . .
–In a room full of people who carry the living, resurrected Jesus in their hearts, why should only one person be allowed to speak, while the rest are required to sit quietly in rows and listen?
New Testament church?
Instead of listening to one man speak all by himself in a church meeting, perhaps we should allow 2 or 3 people to speak and allow everybody else, in open dialogue, to “judge,” evaluate, and/or respond to what has been said.
–1 Corinthians 14:29 says: “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If any thing is revealed to another that sits by, let the first be silent.”
–So how did we reverse this biblical idea and allow only one man to speak week after week while everybody else must be silent, even if someone senses something is being said that may be spiritually off track or biblically incorrect?
Participatory church releases God’s geysers filling the room with living water, as ordinary people, prompted by the Spirit, show and tell what God has done.
(“‘Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this He meant the Spirit.” –John 7:38-39.)
living water2
Check out participatory church at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry Street, Nashville, TN  37207 on Sunday mornings @ 10:45.
Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, 95 theses, blog, facebook, John 7:38, Nashville, New Testament church, questioning church, Quotations, rivers of living water, Wittenberg Door | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments